Returning to the South Pennines

Embsay reservoir, Crookside Crag, Rylestone Cross & the Cracoe fell Obelisk. Returning via Embsay Crag.

9.5miles 1700ft

Setting off from Embsay village....

....and Embsay reservoir....

....which has a sailing club

At the northeast end of the reservoir is Embsay Crag which will be on my route down as I finish the walk

The first climb of the day to Crookrise crag lies straight ahead....

....from where Skipton can be seen in the distance.....

Zooming in on Skipton....

....and a look back to the reservoir

Continuing along the ridge with Pendle hill just visible in the distance

Crookrise crag trig point 1362ft

Continuing along the ridge Rylestone Cross is reached

It was put up here to mark the Jubilee of Queen Victoria

Another couple of miles further and I arrived at the obelisk war memorial on Cracoe fell summit 1640ft

.....and again

Looking down from the obelisk to Rylestone village and.... 

....St Peter's church. After leaving the obelisk I crossed a couple of miles of scenically drab moorland but which was full of birdsong....

....and arrived for my lunch on Embsay crag with the reservoir below

Lunch over, I descended to the reservoir....

....and  had a final look back to the crag before returning to the car.

The forecast for today was full sun with 30*C temperature. I started walking at 6.30am and was glad to be back in the car (with air conditioning) before the heat reached its peak!!

Nevertheless it had been another great day's walking 

 Wallowbarrow Crag & the DuddonValley

from Seathwaite 

9miles 1700ft

Setting off from the village hall car park in Seathwaite

The Duddon valley always has a wonderful display of Bluebells

Wallowbarrow Crag ahead as I left the village....

....crossing Tarn Beck before....

....a little further on crossing the river Duddon

Now on the top of Wallowbarrow Crag looking down on the Newfield Inn Seathwaite

To the southeast is Stickle pike with Morecambe bay lost in the mist behind

To the Northeast is Harter fell which I intended climbing today but as it remained in cloud all day I only went as far as the bottom of the east ridge

Zooming in on Crook crag to the north with Wrynose Bottoms below Little Stand and Cold Pike in cloud behind

After descending Wallowbarrow Crag I headed north towards Harter fell still in cloud....

....and very misty Seathwaite fells

Now at the col between the Duddon valley and Eskdale looking south over Ulpha fell...

....and down Spothow gill into Eskdale

Descending through Dunnerdale forest...

Arriving at Fickle stepping stones across the river Duddon

Following the river downstream....

....and again....

.....until arriving back at Seathwaite village

The forecast for the week ahead was pretty wet so I was looking for an option of a low level walk today.

The Duddon valley never fails to be attractive in any conditions and today was no exception

 Half a Kentmere Round!

Yoke, Ill Bell & Froswick from Kentmere village, returning via Kentmere reservoir

10 miles 2800ft

Parking by St Cuthbert's church in Kentmere....

....for a couple of photos before setting off....

....up the Garburn Pass bridleway....

where I spotted these red deer well camouflaged against the dead bracken

I left the Garburn pass before the summit to take the short cut by Buck Crag with a view down the Kentmere valley

Arriving on the wide ridge leading to Yoke (fell) looking across to Low Pike on the Fairfield ridge

Now on Yoke summit 2448ft looking at Rainsborrow  Crag...

.....and  Windermere

Looking back to Yoke along the ridge from Ill Bell summit 2476ft....

....and ahead to Froswick, Thornthwaite Crag and High Street

 A view to a distant snow covered Fairfield on the way to....

.....Froswick summit 2362ft  and Thornthwaite Crag  with just a little of Ullswater seen to its left

Zooming in on Ullswater...

....as I started the descent to Kentmere reservoir

Looking down the infant river Kent to where it enters the reservoir

Passing the reservoir as I headed down the valley....

....and looked back where I'd come from

I took a short detour to wander through the old quarry workings....

.....and again....

....before sitting down back in St Cuthberts churchyard for, as last week, another very late lunch!

Another wonderful walk but only half of the 'Horse Shoe' as I had an appt to keep later in the afternoon back at home. I must return again soon and finish the other half!